The Tank, Infantry, Mk IV (A22) Churchill was a British heavy infantry tank used in the Second World War, best known for its heavy armor, large longitudinal chassis with all-around tracks with multiple bogies, its ability to climb steep slopes, and its use as the basis of many specialist vehicles. It was one of the heaviest Allied tanks of the war.
The origins of the Churchill's design lay in the expectation that war in Europe might well be fought in conditions similar to those of the First World War, and thus emphasized the ability to cross difficult ground. The Churchill was hurried into production in order to build up British defense's against a possible German invasion. The first vehicles had flaws that had to be overcome before the Churchill was accepted for wide use. After several versions had been built, a better-armored specification, the Mark VII, entered service with the British Army. The improved versions performed well in the later stages of the war.
The Churchill was used by British and other Commonwealth forces during the North African, Italian and North-West Europe campaigns. In addition, 344 Churchills were sent as military aid to the Soviet Union during the Second World War and more than 250 saw active service on the Eastern Front.
AVRE- Armored Vehicle Royal Engineers. A tank modified to be used by British Royal Engineers.
Fascines were a group of sticks (bush), tied together, forming bundles and sub-bundles, tied together in a large roll. The fascine was placed in the cradle and fixed by moorings, with a tensioning cable going to the rear of the vehicle. The fascine was released could be released by a mechanical quick-release trigger (with its activation being done inside the turret) or a explosive quick release system: a detonator was inserted into the plastic explosive and an electrical trigger cable led to the interior of the turret, too. The explosion released the mooring lines and the fascine rolled forward into the crib. The AVRE fascine carrier was quite successful in filling walls, trenches, tank traps, and other voids, allowing it and the remaining allied vehicles to cross and advance.
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